Kenyan Scholar Beats 26 Contestants to Win World Trade Organization Award

Kenyan Scholar Beats 26 Contestants to Win World Trade Organization Award

Kenyan scholar, Socrates Majune has been named the winner of a World Trade Organization (WTO) award.

The 30-year-old emerged the winner of the inaugural Trade Economist Thematic Award, a new research-based competition by WTO. Majune beat 26 other nominees from different countries around the world.

This year’s theme focused on the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on trade and trade policy around the world with Majune’s policy paper on international trade being voted the best.

In his study titled The Effect of Lockdown Policies on International Trade Flows from Developing Countries: Event Study Evidence from Kenya, Majune examined the effects of Covid-19 lockdown measures on the country’s import and export business.

He looked at how the economy was affected by evaluating several products, supplies, imports, and export patterns between July 2019 and June 2020.

Coincidentally, Majune—a tutorial fellow at the University of Nairobi’s School of Economics—was working on a paper on the same topic when WTO announced the competition.

The winner of the award, which comes with a cash prize of 5,000 Swiss Francs (Sh620,000), was picked by a panelist comprising WTO economists and board members.

Through the win, Majune also made history by becoming the maiden winner of the competition.

‘‘I’m deeply honored to be the first recipient of the award which emphasizes my deep interest in international trade. It’s also a statement about the quality of teaching and training in Kenyan and African universities,’’ Majune told Nation.

Comments

Seneca (not verified)     Wed, 12/16/2020 @ 05:42pm

Oh well, who were his competitors? These awards that don't do much for the 'studied' developing nations are useless. He has made himself a personal gravy train. I do not know of a world that gives a damn about Africa

Akinyi (not verified)     Wed, 12/16/2020 @ 10:24pm

In reply to by Seneca (not verified)

You are always a Johnny come lately with your jealousy and misconceptions!! What do you know about economics and world trade affairs? Stay in your cna Lane and let others be @seneca.

Maxiley (not verified)     Thu, 12/17/2020 @ 12:41am

In reply to by Seneca (not verified)

@ Seneca,it is a commendable feat non the less.Any contest that involves international competition is noteworthy.
To many,India is a third world,but it churns out technocrats that are respected world over.
I have always said, Africans are the only ones who can change the negative image the world has of them.
If they discover cure for Malaria,it will be hard for me he world not to notice.
If they make/produce best fuel efficient cars,it will be hard not to take note.If they produce top notch scientists,it will be hard for the world to ignore.
Yes the wolrd is not giving adamn because we are not doing positive things that makes the world give a damn.But however small our achievement may be,it is ours.And we should be proud of ours, before a foreigners demeans it, muchless our own people.Its a giant step for Africa.

Seneca (not verified)     Thu, 12/17/2020 @ 05:56pm

In reply to by Maxiley (not verified)

My friend, any group can be 'technocrats' if they strategize, network and position themselves well. That is what India and China have done. India is indeed a third world, with a staggering shocking poverty. Kenya's poor are much better off than India's poor.

But, back to the Issue at hand, I see no use or gain for these kinds of nonsensical achievements. I can also bet my life that this fella is not the best there is; perhaps connected or most 'Uncle Tom' like.

Africa in general, and Kenya in particular should stop celebrating these useless awards that numb our senses to ready us for economic raping. The only achievement worth celebrating is one recognized on the African continent by fellow peers. I stand by my argument.

Mumbi (not verified)     Thu, 12/17/2020 @ 07:19am

Congratulations Mjune! Once again the quality of Kenyan education shines bright. Weeks ago Kenyatta University and Strathmore University beat Harvard and Oxford in a legal competition. Kenyans have great brains and a splendid education system. Don't think MLNs are setting up major offices in Kenya out of the goodness of their hearts. Kenyans have proven their academic and creative superiority for decades.

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
CAPTCHA
5 + 10 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.